Family appeals for information on Greenville homicide

Oct. 24, 2007

Bridget Plamann (left), Lara Plamann's sister-in-law, and Abby Ames, Lara's sister, ask the public to offer information about Lara or her homicide during a press conference Tuesday at the family home in Grand Chute. Post-Crescent photo by Kirk Wagner / FlashPromo

Written by

John Lee

Post-Crescent staff writer

Investigators seek help

The Outagamie County Sheriff's Department is asking acquaintances of Lara Plamann or others who may have information about her death to call Lt. Christopher Proietti at 920-832-5629.

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GRAND CHUTE — The Plamann farm house was packed with cameras and reporters Tuesday, but it felt empty to family members as they talked about Lara Plamann.

Plamann's "baby sister" Abby Ames, and her sister-in-law, Bridget Plamann, faced the cameras and asked anyone who had information about Lara's slaying to call investigators.

In the back sat her mother, Mary Jo Plamann, who didn't want to face the cameras, and who fought back tears as she talked about her oldest daughter.

Lara Plamann, 30, was found dead last Thursday in a shed at her Greenville home, and investigators from the Outagamie County Sheriff's Department say they are continuing to interview people and process evidence from the scene. Authorities said Plamann died from a single gunshot wound to the head as she sat in a chair in a shed.

Outagamie County investigators spent five days searching Plamann's home and property before clearing the scene late Monday. They have said there is no reason to think Plamann was shot by a stranger or that there is any danger to residents.

Plamann and Dianna Siveny, who told investigators she was Plamann's domestic partner, ran an Internet-based business through which they built and shipped dog agility training equipment around the world.

Mostly, though, family members said Plamann worked on the family farm.

"There is nothing we can think of," Bridget Plamann said when asked if they knew why someone would kill her sister-in-law. "Lara didn't have any enemies.

"She'd cry if there were too many kittens (on the farm) and Dad had to put one down."

So far, Ames said, investigators have no answer. "We've asked a bunch of questions," she said. "Officers told us they cannot give us those answers at this time."

Lara Plamann's family painted a picture of a young woman who worked on the farm her entire life, had perfect attendance through high school, loved animals and was a friend to many.

"She was a person very true to her word," Ames said. "If she said it, she would do it."

Lara Plamann grew up in 4-H, and had been a leader for a dozen years. She also was involved in Winnegamie Dog Club.

She trained and showed a schipperke, loving the breed whose Belgian name translates to "little captain," Mary Jo Plamann said, as it was a guard dog and ratter used on ships.

She has a photo of her daughter on a horse when she was just 3 years old.

"She lived for her horses," her mother said.

The family had a private funeral service at the home, Ames said. Siveny was among the friends and family members in attendance, she added.

"She is grieving and coping along with the rest of us," Ames said.

A church funeral will come later because police have not yet released Lara's body to the family.

In the meantime, the family is hoping someone has information that will lead police to the killer. "Even if it is not significant, (investigators) might think it is," Ames said.

In the meantime, the family is just taking life one day at a time.

Ames said she just wants to ask one thing. "Why did you take my sister? That's what I want to know."